Plant care tips and diseases to lookout for

Whether you have a variety of plants in your garden, a selection of potted plants or both, proper plant care is essential. Apart from watering, pruning and repotting, you should also be on the lookout for various plant diseases. Here are some of the most common problems that you may come across.

Bacterial spot

This is caused by warm and wet environments. You will notice small, dark, raised spots on the leaves. It can be treated by applying a fungicide. Proper plant care and prompt action will help you save your plant from this disease.

Bacterial blight

You will notice large yellow spots on the leaves that will eventually turn brown. It is caused by cool, wet weather and, unfortunately, your plant cannot be saved. You should remove it right away and make sure that all of your plants are properly spaced apart.

Black root rot

If your potting soil is damp and temperatures range from 55 to 65 F, black root rot can take hold. You will notice stunted foliage and root systems with black areas. Apply the appropriate fungicide to treat the problem and maintain proper plant care to prevent it from reoccurring.

Aphids

These critters are small and green or yellow. They live on the stems and leaves of the plant. They enjoy warm environments with high nitrogen during the early growth stages. To get rid of them, wipe your plant down with soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Aphids are also known for causing something called cucumber mosaic virus. You will notice yellow spots or streaks on the leaves. You will need to discard this plant and check all of your other plants for aphid infestations too.

Spider mites

They usually make themselves at home in warm, heated environments. You will notice fine webbing on the underside of the leaves. As part of your plant care routine, you should always inspect the leaves from top to bottom. If you notice this webbing, you should isolate the plant and prune the damaged leaves. Clean the plant with soapy water or apply an insecticide.

Mealybugs

These bugs can be quite a nightmare if you don’t take action quickly. They usually appear when plants are overwatered and the soil is high in nitrogen. They are small, white and they have a fluffy coating. You should remove them using rubbing alcohol or insecticide.

With the right plant care and maintenance, you will be able to spot these common diseases and bugs before they can do too much damage. While plants need water in order to survive, remember that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.